346 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



Hny Is $11 per ton, mill feed $18; which had we better feed for butter? 



Mr. Van Alstyne, — It would depend on conditions. If the cow 

 is fresh in milk and is worth anything, and we want to make milk 

 in winter, she certainly ought to be fed grain. Whether it would 

 pay to feed grain in summer would depend on the pasture. If it 

 was very short, and the cow a good one, it will pay in the long 

 run to feed her some grain. 



Should cows be watered directly after being fed? 



Mr. Van Alstyne. — I don't think that will make much differ- 

 ence. If the cow wants water, she will drink it; if not, she won't. 

 Nor do I think it makes much difference whether she has it twice 

 or three times a day. 



Mr. Cook. — Water a cow twice a day, and I believe that, if we 

 can have the water pure and clean, the place to water the cow i« 

 in the barn; and, theoretically, the water ought to be at a tempera- 

 ture of 98 degrees, but the cow seems to prefer it at a tempera- 

 ture of 50 to 60 degrees. She ought not to be forced to drink ice- 

 water, as she must eat an extra quantity of food to warm it up to 

 the temperature of her body. 



What ails the cows? In November the test was lower than in October; 

 then higher in December. The rations were the same and the same per- 

 son had charge of them. 



Mr. Cook. — I don't know. Have seen the same thing in our 

 herds and among the herds of our patrons. I can't answer the 

 question. 



AVli.Tt is the best early summer feed to grow for milch cows? 



Mr. Converse. — I incline to the belief that ensilage is the 

 cheaper. Very many farmers are building siloes for summer 

 feeding. If you do not have it, grow alfalfa or oats and peas. 

 Alfalfa is, perhaps, best, for, when you get a good stand, it will 

 last a number of years, while from two to four cuttings may be 

 made in a season. 



Can apples be fed to milch cows, successfully? 



Mr. Van Alstyne. — Yes; but I would begin with not more than 

 four quarts of mature apples per day; then increase the quantity 

 to a peck. The quality of the apples will depend somewhat on 



